Reproductive rights were the talk of the town in Tucson this week, with a pair of campaign events aimed to rally support for candidates who support access to abortion and reproductive rights.

On Wednesday, the Walz-Harris campaign’s Fighting for Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour stopped at Momo’s Mexican restaurant near the University of Arizona campus, as it traveled through Arizona towns to rally support for Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Students and supporters gathered around the bus, eager to hear Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, state Senator Priya Sundareshan and state Representative Betty Villegas speak.

Among the crowd was Gretchen Baer, an artist who arrived in a car covered from hood to back bumper in vibrant hues and intricate patterns. Atop the car, a hand-painted portrait of Kamala Harris captured passerbys’ attention. 

“Being an artist, I painted the Kamala car so I could use the talents I have for good and to support her candidacy and so I’m just driving around with it in Arizona,” Baer told Tucson Spotlight. 

She said that women and women’s rights are her inspiration and that she had previously painted a car for Hillary Clinton, traveling across the country with it. 

“I really believe that a strong, intelligent, competent woman should be in charge and it is past time,” she said. “We need to do this or we’re going to lose every single right we have as women.”

Giffords shared her story of resilience since the 2011 assassination attempt that nearly took her life, talking about her fight to learn to walk and talk again.

She said Harris will fight for the reproductive rights of Arizonans and all citizens and that she will save lives along the way, urging attendees to cast their vote for Harris.

Villegas also spoke passionately about the stakes involved for families and future generations, saying reproductive freedom is important to her as a mother and granddaughter.

“I have four granddaughters, all within the ages of 23 to 32, and I do this for them,” she said. “To me, it’s a choice that individually people can make and it’s between them and their doctor. Nobody should be judging anybody or trying to put laws in place that will prevent them from having these choices.” 

Community members came with their own stories and motivation, including Angela Christensen, who attended with her son and described the importance of continuing the fight for reproductive freedoms. 

“I’m from an era where we’ve fought this fight already and I never thought we would be here for this generation to have to go through this,” she said. “I am here because we have to stand up for our reproductive freedoms.”

Ojah Sanghi, a UA student, youth climate activist and supporter of Prop 139, the Right to Abortion Initiative, said abortion is a critical freedom for every American and all of humanity.

“One side of the ballot is completely against it and one side is completely for it, so I think it’s important that we show up in solidarity and help support this,” he said. 

The next day, Democratic candidate for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District Kirsten Engel also took a stand for reproductive rights during a press conference in the Catalina Foothills.

Engel told the crowd that if she’s elected, she’ll fight to safeguard these freedoms. She said she shaped her campaign as a response to what she described as an urgent need for stronger protections.

“Arizona has a duty to ensure every woman has the right to make personal medical decisions, free from political interference,” Engel said. “Reproductive rights are fundamental rights, and it is appalling that they remain under threat.”

Engel said she was proud of her advocacy for reproductive rights during her time in the Arizona House and Senate, where she worked alongside state Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton to fight restrictive abortion laws.

She urged voters to mobilize and to encourage others to do the same, 

“Our freedoms are on the line,” Engel said. “I won’t stop fighting for reproductive rights until my daughter, your daughters, and future generations are guaranteed their fundamental rights. Southern Arizona deserves representation that respects and defends their freedom.”

Hamilton described Engel’s opponent, Republican incumbent Juan Ciscomani, as an opponent of reproductive rights, citing his support for the Territorial-era Arizona abortion ban, national abortion restrictions, and attempts to limit contraceptive access.

She argued that Arizonans need a leader who will uphold their rights rather than work to diminish them.

The pair was joined by Dr. Victoria Fewell, a Tucson-based obstetrician-gynecologist and longtime advocate for women’s health care.

Fewell, who has practiced medicine for over 30 years, spoke about her experiences with patients affected by abortion restrictions, underscoring the risks imposed on women and families when they lack control over their own bodies.

“Restrictive abortion laws put lives in jeopardy,” Fewell said. “Patients should be able to make healthcare decisions with their doctors without political interference.”

She shared the story of a recent emergency in which a woman nearly lost her life due to restrictive policies, illustrating the life-or-death consequences she has observed firsthand.

“Abortion isn’t just a women’s issue — it’s a public health issue,” she said, adding that Engel understands that reproductive healthcare is a human right. “A vote for Kirsten Engel is a vote to protect Arizona’s health and future.”

Angelina Maynes is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and reporter with Tucson Spotlight. Contact her at angelinamaynes@arizona.edu.

Isabela Gamez is a University of Arizona alum and Spotlight reporter. Contact her at gamezi@arizona.edu.

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